Top Ranking For Hotel Valencia Well Deserved

SAN JOSE, CA -- Location, location, location. And this complimentary mantra could mean inside or out at the Hotel Valencia on Santana Row, rated No. 1 in San Jose by Conde Nast Traveler and No. 17 in all of Northern California.

Whether staying for business or pleasure, this is the place to visit to be seen on the bustling, vivacious Santana Row and to hide under the covers until noon -- especially as the winter beckons.

And as the holidays approach, the street tree is already up to add to the festive nature of the culinary and mixology escapes alongside upscale shops woven into a model pedestrian-friendly village. There's even a Tesla dealership if you feel so inclined.

All that, and who needs to go anywhere. This hotel is a gem-among-gems in service. The staff is meticulous about service. The rooms are cozy. The view is like something out of a Parisian magazine. The heated pool and spa on the fifth floor is a quiet sanctuary.

The restaurant is out-of-this-world unique with cocktails from the V-bar that would rival anything found in downtown San Francisco. (Tip: Try the Rosemary Waltz with vodka, rosemary, blood orange puree, lemon, simple syrup and soda to truly transport your mood.)

The Oveja Negra (translation Black Sheep) restaurant located on the lobby floor stands onto itself as a destination for those wanting to immerse themselves in a culinary quest for unique tapas. The octopus with watercress and crispy potato was perfectly grilled, the mashed potato croquettes with sundried tomato aioli melts in your mouth and the Dungeness crab fritters were a textured delight. Try not to overindulge because dessert is a treat. The strawberry panna cotta begs to transport any flan-loving fanatic.

The hotel itself will send a guest on a overseas journey. The Mediterranean accents resemble Old World Spain, with hand-painted Spanish dancers adorning each wall. The elegance of red velvet accents and wrought-iron chandeliers add to the ambience.

The hotel also features a complimentary deluxe continental breakfast that's a spread spanning one whole wall in the airy eatery. WiFi is free, and also included is an all-day fitness center with plenty of machines and weights, along with 4,000 square feet of meeting space. A group of a dozen Medtronics workers from China chose the hotel for their trip to the Santa Rosa office an hour's drive away. There's even an outcove nook where guests may have quiet intimate time in the hotel outside their guest rooms.

Among the 215 comfortable rooms, suites provide a shower that fit a small army. For those who like to soak, a large tub calls out after a nippy day on the streets of San Jose. A guest may request a microwave and fridge for leftovers and libations. The beds are comfy enough to sleep in until 10 a.m. without guilt. The terraces provide an open view of the street activity below. Bands play in the median under the trees on the weekend, a nice touch a guest won't even have to leave their rooms for.

"We've been staying here since they opened," Cynthia Phillips said, while seated with her husband Jim over breakfast. The hotel opened in 2003 and has evolved over the years. The Los Angeles couple meet up with local family members because of the choices of activities surrounding the hotel. He grew up in San Jose.

"Santana Row makes it nicer to stay here," she said.

"The service is exceptional," he piped in.

Visit Hotel Valencia Santana Row to book a stay in the heart of San Jose.

--Images via Sue Wood, Patch